Yes, sarcastically groundbreaking. Every student has heard it. Every teacher has said it. But it’s understandable because deadlines sneak up like they were not written in the syllabus weeks ago.

Procrastination is appealing because it looks like getting some free time—which is true, except it is also true that you are simply delaying the task while risking quality output at the same time.

Assignments completed at the last minute leave little room for research and improvements. What could have been your best work can turn out rushed and messy just to get submitted on time.

Cramming learning is risky too. Trying to absorb weeks of lessons in a single night rarely works. There is only so much information the human brain can process before it becomes overwhelmed. The tendency here is that you end up remembering enough to survive the exam, but forget most of it shortly afterward.

Reports on learning retention by life sciences specialist, Indegene Limited, state that spaced retrieval can be achieved by providing bite-sized pieces of material on key topics to refresh the learner's memory. Instead of cramming, review material at strategic, gradually increasing intervals. This technique alters the brain's memory retention curve to make the learning permanent.

Social media has romanticized all-nighters and last-minute studying by turning them into either an inspiring story or relatable, entertaining content. But in reality, this can turn into anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion.

Take notes while you listen

With the rise of technology, students started taking photos of lecture slides instead of copying notes. If not that, then it is writing the professor’s presentation from start to finish.

Rather than mindlessly copying, strategic note-taking is important in processing concepts in real time, helping you know which key information to prioritize and create a condensed study guide to prepare for exams. It gets your brain to work so you can write down exactly how your brain processed the information. This allows you to actually comprehend the lesson, and it makes it easier to recall later.

Textbooks and lecture materials are usually in longer forms because they are made to be a guide for learners. When you base on them to review, it will naturally take longer and feel like studying for the first time.

There are many guides online on how to effectively take notes, so you can maximize your time in class actually learning and helping your future self prepare better for examinations.

Take Short Breaks Instead of Working Until You Burn Out

A lot of students push themselves to their limit, locking in for hours, exhausting themselves, and then spending the rest of the day recovering. Others spend so much time recovering that they never actually return to studying.

Neither of these two approaches is effective.

A 2011 study published in Cognition by researchers Alejandro Lleras and Atsunori Ariga found that brief mental breaks helped participants maintain focus during lengthy tasks. The researchers suggested that stepping away periodically helps the brain stay engaged rather than allowing attention to gradually fade.

This explains why power naps are a thing. They are widely recommended to refresh while working, and they last from ten to fifteen minutes.

This also explains why structured study methods are testified to be effective by many students. A short break every now and then is not a reward for studying; resting itself is part of the job to help you stay focused.

The goal is to avoid the cycle of overworking yourself for three hours and then needing a three-hour break afterward. Consistency is more important than intensity.

Set clear study goals?

A timer is not a goal.

A common student habit is to require themselves to sit down and spend the next two hours studying and being productive. Two hours later, they may have technically studied, but they are not entirely sure what they accomplished.

Studying is not a pastime. It should achieve something.

Psychologists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham spent decades studying goal-setting and motivation. Their findings, published in American Psychologist, repeatedly showed that specific and challenging goals tend to produce better results than vague intentions because they direct attention and effort toward measurable outcomes.

Instead of focusing on how long you plan to study, make an agenda on what needs to be completed. Write a checklist of concepts you need to master. Identify chapters that still confuse you. Find practice questions you should be able to answer confidently before moving on.

Measuring progress is different from measuring time.

Maximize this time to explore and know yourself

Being in school, being at a specific age, and being surrounded by people from all walks of life provide the ideal environment for self-discovery. More so in college.

This time is as crucial for discovering personality and passion just as it is for studying and submitting projects. Join clubs early to find like-minded people. Find out which subjects you genuinely like and hone related skills and knowledge.

One of the most influential theories in higher education is Alexander Astin's Student Involvement Theory. After studying student development and university outcomes for decades, Astin concluded that students who invest more time and energy into campus life tend to experience stronger academic engagement, personal growth, and persistence through graduation.

This is also applicable to professors, teaching assistants, and even employees from other departments. Students often perceive these individuals only as people who grade assignments or other “tenants” in the building, but they are real, capable people who can become mentors, references, research supervisors, and professional connections after graduation.

Networking can sound intimidating, but it is one of the most effective ways to get opportunities. It can be as simple as asking questions after class. Being involved is not supposed to be cheesy like some students make it seem.

Take care of yourself. Actually.

Student culture has a strange relationship with sleep. Somehow, getting four hours of rest before an exam is something people brag about.

In a 2019 study published in npj Science of Learning, researchers from MIT tracked college students using wearable devices and found that sleep quality, duration, and consistency were all associated with better academic performance. Sleep-related factors accounted for nearly 25% of the variation in students' academic performance.

Perhaps even more surprising, the researchers found that sleep during the weeks leading up to an exam mattered more than sleep on the night before the test itself. In other words, one good night's sleep cannot compensate for weeks of poor sleep habits.

Taking care of yourself is also about consuming the right food, pampering yourself, and making time for the things that make you happy. Focusing too much on school to the point of self-neglect can do more harm than good.

Try cooking or baking. Not only are they widely viewed as therapeutic, but they also help you hone basic life skills. Test out recipes and attend online cooking classes by professional chefs.

There are free workshops offered by online learning platforms such as The Bailiwick Academy , where you can learn not just culinary techniques but also branding strategies and tips on how to build a food business for aspiring entrepreneurs

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G3 Gac Superfruit Juice for a Healthy Diet

In today’s food market, healthy juices infused with fruits and vegetables have been gaining quite the popularity due to convenience and benefits. They contain the same nutrients as whole foods, but they do not require cooking and are readily available. Fruit juices made with citrus and berries are already flooding the market because of their high vitamin and antioxidant content, but one not as widely consumed yet is gac juice.

A study published in Oxford Academic’s Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (BBB) identified gac fruit as one of the richest known natural sources of carotenoids. Researchers specifically noted its unusually high lycopene, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin content compared to many conventional fruits and vegetables.

Carotenoids are antioxidant compounds associated with cellular protection, immune support, eye health, and healthy aging. Carotenoids are what give certain fruits and vegetables their yellow, orange, and red colors. Red-colored fruits and veggies, especially tomatoes, get their vibrant hue primarily from lycopene.

Telehealth platform Hims lists three lycopene benefits for men, supporting that it helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer, improve cardiovascular health, and boost fertility.

On the other hand, the benefits of beta-carotene allow vitamin A conversion inside the body, providing antioxidants and rendering anti-inflammatory effects to help protect cells from damage. According to WebMD, beta-carotene provides about 50% of the vitamin A needed in the diet, supporting immunity and vision overall.

Zeaxanthin is highly relevant in health recommendations concerning eye strain and retinal protection. It acts as a natural sunblock and filter for harmful blue light, effectively reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. This is especially important now that adults spend massive portions of the day looking at screens.

Antioxidant compounds found in NU Skin’s G3 Superfruit Juice are comparable to:
• Lycopene equal to 70 tomatoes
• Beta-carotene equal to 10 carrots
• Zeaxanthin equal to 40 ears of corn

Although gac is the centerpiece ingredient, G3 adds other superfruit sources associated with antioxidant and phytonutrient density. This includes:
• Chinese lycium
• Siberian pineapple
• Cili fruit
• Acerola

Chinese lycium is commonly associated with goji berries; it has long been studied for antioxidant compounds and immune-related benefits as well. Siberian pineapple is for added carotenoids, flavonoids, and vitamin C. Acerola, often called the "Barbados cherry" or "West Indian cherry,” is most famous for having one of the highest natural concentrations of vitamin C in the world, along with cili fruit.

With this combination of fruits, G3 is like a concentrated antioxidant beverage formulated around phytonutrient diversity.

Where does the gac fruit grow?

Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis) is a tropical vine natively grown across Southeast Asia and Northeastern Australia. It grows well in tropical and subtropical climates that mimic its native environment. Cultivation is most prominent in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, as well as southern China and Queensland.

Growing it requires specific conditions according to ECHO’s Seed Bank: warm temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, high annual rainfall (1,500 to 2,500 mm), eight months of warm growing season, full sun to partial shade (at least 6–8 hours of direct daily sunlight), sturdy elevated support systems like trellises, fences, or garden arches, and well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter with a pH near neutral (7.0).

Gac is not well-known in the Philippines the way mangoes, durian, or bananas are. They are not very well-credited either, like berries, lemons, and apples. But they are one of the healthiest fruits in the world. In parts of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, the gac fruit has been traditionally consumed for generations and even used during celebrations and ceremonial meals.

In the Philippines, gac grows wild and in home gardens, especially in lowland thickets, secondary forests, and near riverbanks. It grows well in some parts of Luzon (Cagayan, Ilocos, Benguet, Tarlac, and the Bicol region), Mindoro, Panay, Biliran, and Mindanao. Locals usually refer to it by regional names like sugod-sugod, parog-parog, or balbas-bakiro.

Benefits of Gac Fruit Juice During 30s

Modern living means spending most waking hours indoors, under artificial lighting, sitting for prolonged periods, consuming highly processed diets, and overall just consuming oxidative stress.

Years of this kind of lifestyle make it difficult to recover at a later age, despite intensity. Some things need prevention before they escalate to more serious matters.

During the 30s to 40s, symptoms of aging occur one by one:
• lower energy
• eye fatigue
• slower recovery
• weaker immunity
• skin dullness
• constant exhaustion

They build gradually through years of accumulated stress and nutritional imbalance, and once they reach a certain point, they only get either maintained or worse.

Healthy practices during this age, such as proper sleep, exercise, medical care, and balanced meals, are most important. When maintaining this is impossible, concentrated antioxidant intake is always relevant in lifestyles to achieve nutritional quality frequently.

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Quick Makeup Routine for Busy Moms

Step 1: Flawless Base

For moms, using a BB or CC cream for the face is better than using traditional foundation. Both are beneficial, but depending on your priorities, one could be better.

The difference between BB and CC cream

BB stands for Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm. It gives sheer coverage and is much lighter on the skin compared to CC cream. Over time, it improves the skin by reducing redness, mattifying, and minimizing the look of the pores. This is recommended for moms who either do not have a lot of blemishes to cover or prioritize hydration and skincare benefits from vitamins and antioxidants.

CC, on the other hand, stands for Color Correcting or Complexion Corrector. From the name, it gives a fuller coverage and is meant to neutralize the appearance of imperfections, hiding dark spots and redness. This is the better option for those who prefer instant coverage.

Because these options are significantly thinner in formula than foundation, caking is less likely, especially when applied using fingers. This step can easily be done in under a minute, giving the skin a very natural glow and a much more even tone on the spot. Setting with face powder is completely optional.

Beauty Guru Tip: Face the window when doing your makeup. Natural daylight shows exactly what makeup actually looks like in the real world. Artificial light alters how makeup sits on the skin in both color and texture—what may seem light and subtle indoors often turns harsh and unblended the moment you step outside.

Step 2: Curl Eyelashes

Having no sleep does not mean you have to look it; lifted lashes can instantly fake eight hours of sleep.

If your lashes are naturally straight, using an eyelash curler for less than 15 seconds can make a dramatic difference. A lash curler is really great for making you look more awake when you're going for a no-makeup look. If you can spare an extra minute, follow with one coat of mascara to lock in the lift.

Mascara alone also works beautifully, especially on mornings when every second is crucial. A single coat is enough to darken and define the lashes, giving the eyes more contrast and making them stand out without eyeliner or eyeshadow. Waterproof formulas tend to hold curl longer, particularly in the Philippine heat and humidity.

Beauty Guru Tip: Curl your lashes in three sections instead of clamping just once at the base. Press first at the root, then at the middle, and finally near the tips. This gives a soft, rounded curve rather than a sharp 90-degree bend. This technique mimics the natural shape of the lash and makes the eyes appear more lifted.

Step 3: Tint on Cheeks and Lips

The fastest way to look healthy and well-rested is to bring color back to the face.

A good lip and cheek tint does exactly that in less than a minute. Dot a small amount onto the apples of the cheeks and blend upward toward the temples using your fingertips. Using whatever amount is left on your fingertips, tap onto the lips for a naturally flushed look; simply add more if needed. Using one product for two areas not only saves time but also reduces clutter and makes touch-ups way easier.

Cream and gel tints are especially practical for mothers because they are highly blendable. They melt into the skin and create a finish that looks like a real flush rather than obvious makeup. This subtle wash of color takes away the paleness after restless nights, making the face appear brighter and more awake.

Beauty Guru Tip: Apply the multipurpose tint with your ring finger instead of your index finger. The ring finger naturally uses the lightest pressure, which helps press pigment into the skin without disturbing the base underneath. This gives you more control over the product, the color then diffuses more seamlessly to create a natural-looking flush.

About Dara Plan

Dara Plan is an International Beauty Coach and a professional Hair and Makeup Artist (HMUA) who specializes in artistry, education, and image consultancy.

She regularly conducts workshops for GlamBox Beauty Studio, Suesh Studio, and the College of Saint Benilde, while also being tapped by corporate partners for seminars. She brings practical insights to various audiences by serving as a beauty and image consultant for major retail names such as Rustan’s and Watson’s.

Dara studied at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in the USA and the Melbourne Australian College of Hair and Beauty, where she honed her expertise both internationally and locally. She has also served as a trainer for the Philippine branch of the Melbourne College which further strengthened her role as a mentor and educator in the beauty industry.

Click here to book an appointment.

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Why Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Flower Arrangement Date?

In essence, flower arranging teaches you to slow down—something that most mothers have forgotten to do after years of juggling work, home management, raising children, and at least a bit of personal care if the time allows it.

A lot of Mother’s Day ideas often revolve around excessive relaxation where moms usually just sit, eat, or get pampered for that ultimate “day off” celebration. This isn’t bad, but it isn’t very impactful either; it will most likely wear off the following day. If not relaxation, then it’s travel or activity, which they do enjoy but barely get the physical rest they might actually need.

Unlike these, flower-arranging gives moms something to do just enough for both relaxation and mind stimulation. This gives them time for themselves to ponder and a space that feels light and feminine.

As a date, flower-arranging creates room—room for conversation, for small jokes, for those random stories that come out when hands are busy and minds are relaxed. And unlike a typical day out, there’s no rush to finish. You move at your own pace. If it takes longer, that’s fine. If you pause halfway to talk, even better.

Here are 5 reasons to take up flower-arranging

Flowers are a natural stress reliever and mood booster

According to a behavioral research study, “Home Ecology of Flowers” by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School, people who have fresh-cut flowers at home feel kinder and more compassionate toward others, more enthusiastic and energetic at work, and feel less worried, anxious, and depressed. The presence of flowers alone eliminates negative feelings. Reports from the same study stated that participants wanted to see flowers first thing in the morning, placing them in areas where they usually are, like the kitchen and the living room.

“As a psychologist, I’m particularly intrigued to find that people who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings,” Etcoff says. “Our results suggest that flowers have a positive impact on our well-being.”

Learning flower arrangement improves creativity

Improved creativity, despite how niche it sounds, is also key to enhancing problem-solving skills, increasing adaptability, and improving cognitive function. For moms who have to be constantly active and alert, engaging in simple activities like this is especially beneficial. Every step of flower arranging reinforces focus; you tap into artistic instincts many people don’t get to use often. You start noticing the little details, like how textures contrast, how colors complement each other, and how different-sized flowers create harmony. These small things allow one to rediscover themself and their inclination to certain designs, as well as to build confidence in their choices. Basic Flower Arrangement classes guide you through these, so you don’t only create by-the-book gorgeous pieces, but also something that has a personal touch.

Flowers are a natural aromatherapy

According to the Cleveland Clinic, aromatherapy stimulates the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves). Essential oils are popular for this reason. Special cells in the nose (called olfactory receptors) inhale its molecules and send messages to the brain. These messages stimulate activity in the brain which then releases hormones like serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. These hormones help regulate body functions like mood, sleep, and digestion. The release of these hormones helps lower anxiety and reduce the perception of pain.

Flowers are basically unprocessed essential oils. Arranging flowers means getting deep inhales of the natural sources of these oils. When you work with roses, lavenders, or jasmine, you benefit from their aromatherapeutic benefits.

Flower arrangement is an opportunity for self-expression

Just like every other art, creating provides an outlet for self-expression. Using the same materials and pieces, there are countless ways to arrange flowers. Your choice of colors and flower types conveys feelings, especially if associated with the language of flowers. How you come up with a design is a direct reflection of your unique stories, personality, and artistic potential.

For moms who are often at a loss for words for expressing themselves, or have those days when thoughts and feelings are kept inside, flower-arranging is a subtle and quiet way to let them out.

Working with flowers allows connection with nature

Psychological research from the American Psychological Association proves that exposure to nature triggers a physiological response that lowers stress levels. There’s also the attention restoration theory, which holds that nature replenishes cognitive resources and restores the ability to concentrate and pay attention. According to Lisa Nisbet, PhD, a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, who studies connectedness to nature, “Stress reduction and attention restoration are related.”

With flower-arranging, it is no longer necessary to take time to step outside to get some sun and souch some grass. You can do it at home—comfy, homey, and familiar.

Understanding flowers, what flowers are in season or what climate the flowers thrive in, deepens your connection with nature. As you work with flowers, you naturally become more observant, like paying more attention to the details of the flowers: the delicate texture of the petals, the elegance of their stems, and even the direction the flowers grow in as it leans towards the light. These observations inspire you to incorporate nature’s rhythms into your design, creating arrangements that are truly in harmony with the natural world.

How sure are we that Mom is going to like this idea?

All women like flowers, even those who say they don’t or that it’s a waste of money—they don’t have to be enthusiastic about it. What’s guaranteed is that every loving mom would appreciate the idea of spending time with their child.

One of the best things about flower arranging is how easy it is to revisit. After Mother’s Day, it can turn into a hobby you share—the beginning of a tradition that you both return to during weekends or special occasions.

For a smooth start, learn with a beginner-friendly flower arrangement class online from The Bailiwick Academy. Learning from home means you can pause, rewind, and take your time. Sign up here.

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